CIS Football Preview: Saskatchewan Huskies (0-0) vs. Alberta Golden Bears (0-0)

Game Details

• Time: 1:00 PM CST / 3:00 PM ET
• Venue: Griffiths Stadium, Saskatoon, SK
• Conference: Canada West Week 1

Season Context

After a 4–4 finish in 2024, the Saskatchewan Huskies open Year 4 under head coach Scott Flory aiming to reestablish themselves as a playoff fixture. A retooled offense led by a veteran quarterback and a deep defensive front gives Saskatoon optimism on both sides of the ball.

Alberta concluded 2024 at 2–6, prompting a second season under Jeff Heaman. The Golden Bears return key skill‐position talent and lean on a revamped linebacker corps to keep them competitive in tight games early in the schedule.

Team Overviews

Saskatchewan Huskies

• Head Coach: Scott Flory (4th season)
• 2024 Record: 4–4 CW, missed playoffs

Offense

• QB Peyton Maas threw for 2,500 yards and 20 TDs last year; excels in play‐action and red‐zone reads
• RB Kayden Bowl rushed for 900 yards at 5.1 YPC, a threat between the tackles and on the edge
• WR Colby Martens posted 60 catches for 850 yards, reliable on third downs

Defense

• DL Chayce Sinnett tallied 7 sacks, anchors the interior pass rush
• LB Jackson Cronin led with 85 tackles, sideline-to-sideline enforcer
• DB Alex Baehler notched 4 interceptions and patrols the deep third

Alberta Golden Bears

• Head Coach: Jeff Heaman (3rd season)
• 2024 Record: 2–6 CW, missed playoffs

Offense

• QB Andrew Sutcliffe passed for 1,800 yards and 12 TDs; dual-threat upside in zone-read packages
• RB Liam Gallimore gained 600 yards and 6 TDs, excels on zone runs and screens
• WR Tyler Twa hauled in 40 receptions for 600 yards, savvy route-runner

Defense

• LB Ben Rodgers recorded 75 tackles; reads run and pass, flashes sideline range
• DE Dillon Hupf contributed 5 sacks, solid counter moves on outside rush
• DB Aiden Faulkner grabbed 3 interceptions, comfortable in man coverage

Head-to-Head

• All-time series is narrowly in Saskatchewan’s favor, 26–24.
• Last meeting: Huskies won 28–21 in Edmonton (2024).
• At Griffiths Stadium: Saskatchewan has prevailed in 7 of the last 10 matchups.

Key Players to Watch

Saskatchewan Huskies

• Peyton Maas (QB): The veteran field general whose deep accuracy and play-action prowess drive the offence.
• Kayden Bowl (RB): Workhorse back who wears down defences with punishing runs between the tackles.
• Chayce Sinnett (DL): Force-gathering interior rusher capable of collapsing pockets.

Alberta Golden Bears

• Andrew Sutcliffe (QB): Improvisational threat who can flip the field with his legs and arm.
• Liam Gallimore (RB): Change-of-pace runner with burst through creases and vision on screens.
• Ben Rodgers (LB): The defensive catalyst in run fits and underneath zones.

Additional Notes

• Weather: chance of light showers, temps near 16 °C with 15 km/h east winds—ball security and footing will matter.
• Offensive line matchup: Saskatchewan returns four starters; Alberta’s front gave up 28 sacks last year.
• Special teams: Graham Saxby’s reliable leg (85% FG) versus Alberta’s dynamic returner Marcus Petit, who averaged 20 yards per kick return in 2024.